Christmas in Dubai 2021: 10+ Must-Do Festive Activities

Wafi City is going big this year with its iconic festive season display that will transport families into enchanting festive Celebrations Around the World, while giving back to the community. The team at Wafi City has a host of magnificent activities and experiences in store for you and your little ones!

Expect a magical festive set up, including a 52-foot-tall Christmas Tree, huge festive decorations placed across the mall, Santa’s Grotto, an Elves Toy Factory and all the famous landmarks from across the globe, such as the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Leaning Tower of Pisa and many more with animatronic displays that will bring these set-ups to life! You can enjoy the festive mood, while listening to musicians and singers perform all your favourite Christmas tunes. 

Great news for all kids who are into arts and crafts, as they will have free access to kids' workshops, where they use their imagination to create unique decorations that can be put on their Christmas trees or write letters to Santa. 

Don't miss the opening ceremony, scheduled to take place this Wednesday at 6pm! It will truly be mind blowing, featuring the famous and beloved star, Kris Fade, where you and your kiddos will have the opportunity for a meet-and-greet with him, watch as Wafi City's breathtaking tree light up for the first time and be serenaded by the Dubai British School Choir. 

It's time to get your kids' groove on at this super party featuring Playo and his Festive Star at Treasure Island! Watch your kids sing with Playo as he performs a live show that will keep the whole family dancing for hours. 

Tickets include access to the soft play area, live performance, mascot show with Playo, arts and crafts, kids meal and a chance to meet the beloved Santa. Don't forget to book your spots!

Watch the famous fairytale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs with a different eye. All the family will be in complete surprise, as they watch the show's twists and turns, when Snow White flees the clutches of the Evil Queen and encounters some interesting characters along the way. 

The show is a real jaw-dropper for all ages with its stunning visual effects and professional choreography, it will surely be a pleasure for the whole family. 

Shows are running from December 14 to 28 at various timings. 

It's time to head into candy heaven and meet your favorite man from the North Pole at Candylicious, the largest candy store in the Middle East! 

For two evenings during Dec 16-17, you and your kiddos will have the chance to meet Santa, get your long-awaited family festive photo, and take home a delicious customized lollipop or candy cane. What are you waiting for? Get into the festive mood and buy your tickets now!

FREE Garret Popcorn taster bag of your choice when you book through Kidzapp!

The Theatre of Digital Art is celebrating the magical festive season with the launch of a magnificent immersive Christmas-themed digital multimedia show - Winter in Wonderland. Expect stunning 360-degree visual projections with holograms and actors to create a realistic and picturesque winter scene, along with actors to liven up the whole ambience. 

Experience winter in Dubai, with your kiddos, through the 15-minute audio-visual narrative, 'Journey to the North Pole' - expect snow-covered forests, glittering palaces and even lollipop trees - every kid's dream come true!

Want to get even more festive? Have a hot chocolate and a special Christmas box full of Christmas-themed souvenirs and goodies, for just an extra AED 20. 

Nothing screams white Christmas more than Ski Dubai, where you and your kiddos can literally experience SNOW in the middle of Dubai. This year, their magical winter wonderland will feature a meet and greet with the big man in red, Christmas movies at Snow Cinema, snowman building, Santa's Toy workshop, Santa's village and lots of festive munchies and drinks!

Madinat Jumeriah Festive Market will be all excitement and thrills, where you and your little ones will be taking Abra rides with the star of the festive season - Santa! Their magical winter wonderland features 1750 sqm of immersive family activities, including a 36 ft Christmas tree with light and sound shows, gingerbread house decorations, North Pole train rides, four-lane bungee, Venetian carousel and several arts and crafts workshops.

Still not done with your Christmas shopping? You will be able to buy unique locals finds for friends and family, amidst joyful live entertainment. 

Get transported into a mystical adventure with Aladdin and Princes Jasmine. This brand new version of the traditional British Pantomime is gonna be Genie-us! 

Can Aladdin defeat the evil Abanzaer and win the hand of the Princess? Fly on ovr to the Theatre by QE2 to find out. A show the whole family will enjoy. 

The Finland Pavillion at Expo 2020 will be hosting the Big Man in Red this festive season. Get your little elves ready, as this will be a great opportunity to get that picture-perfect family festive photo taken with Santa! Your kiddos can also share their Wishlist with Santa (if they have been good this year!), from December 17th to the 22nd. 

Get up to AED 40 Cashback when you book your tickets on Kidzapp!

The enchanting Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace Dubai is back, with all the festive joyful vibes. The Garden will be full of magical decorations and lots of fun activities for everyone in the family. 

Expect fun rides, play area, art displays, live music (on Fridays), Carollers, Street artists and Acrobats, F&B pop-ups and a winter market. You and your little ones will also get to see Santa himself! 

Will your kids get excited about taking a photo with Santa on his traditional Sleigh? Take them to Times Square Center, where this beautiful picture can be a cherished memory forever. 

Times Square Center’s Christmas celebrations are centered this year around going green and protecting our planet Earth, your children will have the opportunity to learn about recycling through the Grand Festive Tree, which is made out of recycled plastic cups from the world’s oceans (how cool is that?), as well as at the Floating Toy Factory where they have toys created from plastic waste (your child can also take one of the toys home).

We can all agree that one of the most exciting things we look forward to every holiday season is Christmas Markets! Bab Al Shams is hosting a spectacular Christmas market full of magical festive vibes, featuring a 40-foot Christmas tree and live music and entertainment, including daily Christmas carols. Your kiddos can also get the chance to meet Santa himself!

The Market will include 50+ Christmas stalls from local businesses to help you find the perfect gifts for friends and family. Want to live the whole Christmas Experience? Book your family a delicious Christmas-themed buffet dinner, available daily between 7pm and 11:30pm at Al Forsan restaurant. 

Immerse your family into a magical festive experience at City Centre Me'aisem's Winter in Wonderland. Taking place daily until January 15, expect fun workshops, snow park and delicious food everyday from 4pm. 

Your kiddos will be in absolute joy diving into the snow park, building snowmen and creating snow angels. They can also get on a range of exciting rides or have some quality family time watching the best family movies under the stars. 

The Ripe Market is becoming festive, as festive can be! Every weekend until Dec 25, you and your little elves can take part in wreath-making workshops, gingerbread decorations, buy real Christmas trees and visit Santa's Grotto, with live festive entertainment in the background.

The Ripe Festive Market is also a great opportunity to get your Christmas gifts shopping done.